Fracture of wrist joint

Triquetral, lunate and scaphoid bones form the bony joint called the wrist joint. It connects the forearm and wrist. In most cases, if the injury damaged the wrist joint scaphoid and lunate. A fracture in this region is a frequent phenomenon, which accounts for a fifth of all cases of fractures of bones.

Injuries of the distal radius is dangerous and can cause deformation of the wrist joint due to adhesions. The result is its instability, unevenly distributed load on the ligamentous apparatus. After an improper fusion of the bones or lack of timely treatment of the fracture, the patient may experience pain when lifting weights, the brush becomes weak, decreasing the scope carpal joint movements, there is often osteoarthritis.

In the elderly fractures of the wrist joint are more common. This is because over time, the bone tissue is weakened, the skeleton becomes fragile and any careless movement can cause damage. In women the fracture risk of the wrist joint increases with the onset of menopause. At this point, significantly hormonal changes, there is a lack of calcium that weakens the bones. Men are less prone to fractures of the wrist joint. Because they have bigger bones and stronger, and hormonal changes with age is not as important as in women.

The content of the article:

• Causes of fracture of wrist joint
• The symptoms of fracture of wrist joint
• Types of fractures of the wrist joint
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Rehabilitation after fracture of the joint of the hand

Causes of fracture of wrist joint

The wrist joint is injured in a fall on an outstretched hand or with an emphasis on brush. In the second case, the fracture is accompanied with displacement of the fragment. In the fall the man instinctively puts his hands forward to protect the front part of the body and face from the impact, and increased load of body weight damaged bone.

Osteoporosis is another common cause of fracture of wrist joint. It is a systemic disease of the skeleton causes a decrease in bone density and increase fragility. Osteoporosis mostly affectselderly patients, so the risk of damage to the wrist joint increases after 60 years. However, at a young age also, a fracture may occur in a car accident, a fall from a height or receiving a direct injury.

The symptoms of fracture of wrist joint

The main symptom of fracture of the wrist – severe pain in this area. During palpation, or when you try to move it it becomes more tangible. After some time in the region of the wrist swelling is formed. Perform basic it functions becomes impossible.

Externally visible deformity in the wrist area. She may have a different appearance depending on the type of fracture. In most cases, the shape deformation stylobata and like fork. Patient might feel numbness of the hand and tingling in her. With an open fracture of the wrist joint may hemorrhage. Another symptom of an injury – the crunch of bone shards.

Types of fractures of the wrist joint

1. Fracture Kolles. It always falls on the "typical place", that is, the radial bone is damaged for a few inches above its distal end. The reason for such injuries is the fall on straight arms or when you hit open hands, causing the fracture is called the extensor. The bone fragments are shifted in the opposite direction from the palm of your hand. This allows for the appearance and x-ray to diagnose a fracture Kolles. The accretion in this case is fast with a good blood supply to the lower part of the radius.

2. Smith's Fracture. He is known as a reverse fracture Kolles. This injury occurs much less frequently, and the reason it becomes the fall back, accompanied by a direct blow to the forearm. Fragments of the radial bone when Smith's fracture are displaced forwards towards the palm.

In addition to these basic types, fractures of the wrist joint can be open or comminuted type. In the first case, the injured skin. This type of fracture is a dangerous infection through an open wound, so you should immediately seek help at the hospital. A comminuted form of a fracture of the wrist joint is characterized in that the bone is damaged in several places, whereby it is divided into 3 or more parts.

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Diagnosis and treatment

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The fracture has symptoms similar to a sprain, dislocation or injury. Therefore, accurate diagnosis can put only a doctor. Contact trauma immediately after the trauma to rule out a fracture. Procrastination if there is serious injury can lead to complications.

To determine the presence of a fracture of the wrist joint allows the x-rays. In some cases need also computer tomography. This procedure is necessary when intra-articular fracture or after surgical treatment.

If a fracture of the wrist joint occurred without offset, fairly dense overlay of plaster or polymer bandage. It can be removed after complete Union of bones. If the fracture has shifted and formed fragments, it is necessary to return to their former place, and after the fix. Otherwise, you may develop osteoarthritis, and motion of the brush will be limited.

Gypsum is removed in a few weeks. During this time the physician performed testing and radiographs. This is necessary in order to determine the presence of re-displacement. Sometimes, its elimination requires surgery. It can be closed or open type. In open fractures of the radius are used special devices for external fixation.

After application of the plaster bandage, the patient may disturb aching pain. To get rid of them will help the application of cold. Severe pain used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the period of wearing plaster is important to make sure that it is not pressed in the hand. The lack of sensitivity of the brush, pallor and numbness of the fingers – a reason to go to the doctor.

Rehabilitation after fracture of the joint of the hand

After the plaster structure is removed, the victim must undergo intense rehabilitation procedures. But it is recommended to start an independent rehabilitation, beginning with the second day, after receiving a fracture.

To get started you just need to move your fingers hands and joints of the shoulder as possible. Two weeks later, I will try to compress the hand into a fist, but so as not to strain the muscles underneath the cast. Also the patient will need to visit the sessions of magnetic therapy.

When the plaster will be removed, physiotherapy is greatly enhanced, they include: electrophoresis, UHF, ozokerite, salt baths, therapeutic mud wrap. Moreover, it is shown the complex of physical procedures, which the doctor individually in each case.

To predict the success or failure of treatment is quite difficult, as the elbow joint– a fairly complex mechanism. On the speed of recovery is also influenced by the nature of the injury. But in any case, the implementation of all recommendations gives greater assurance that the restoration will be successful and in the future the injury will not result in such problems as arthritis and the development of contractures.